Hayling RNLI save ‘Bella’ and avert a more serious incident.

Boat Launched: D-Class

Date: Sunday 22 June

Launched at: 15:50

Returned at: 16:40

Weather: Fine and bright with F4 SE wind

Bailey and Bella after the rescue

Bailey and Bella after the rescue

On Sunday afternoon 22 June ‘Bella’ a Staffordshire bull terrier, swam into the Chichester Harbour entrance, became confused and was at risk of being run down by vessels entering the Harbour. She was rescued by the Hayling Island RNLI Lifeboat

Senior Helm Andy Ferguson from the Hayling RNLI was on the beach with his family at Sandy Point and noticed a commotion in the harbour entrance. ‘Bella’ was about 200m offshore and distressed, and was not responding to her lady owner’s frantic calling. The dog owner’s partner had swum out to the dog and was trying in vain to catch her but he was beginning to struggle apparently more than the dog. Several members of the public and boat owners entering the harbour tried to rescue them, but other vessels narrowly missed the swimmer and his dog.

Andy called Solent Coastguard and asked for a lifeboat launch as a swimmer was in grave and imminent danger. He also shouted several times to the swimmer in the water that he should return to shore and that the RNLI were launching the lifeboat.

The D-Class lifeboat was launched and since the incident was local to the lifeboat station arrived very quickly and in the words of an on scene boat owner ‘Hayling Lifeboat arrived and skilfully ran alongside, plucked the dog from the sea and returned it to the owner on the beach.’ Bailey Birchall (pictured with Bella) the son of the dog’s owner was delighted to be re-united with his pet. The owners’ partner had by this time managed to swim back to the shore and was unhurt. Andy Ferguson said ‘We are delighted to have been able to avert a possibly more tragic incident and are glad that the owners and their dog are all happily safe and sound.’ Miss Sarah Jones, Baileys aunt said, ‘I’m always down her on the beach and we see the lifeboats and crews. We are so grateful to everyone for their swift action.’

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Service Numbers 2019

Total Launches: 84
Atlantic 85: 42
D-Class: 42

Services Totals

2015 - 67
2014 -77
2013 - 86
2012 - 77

Tide Times

Tide times and heights not available for http://www.tidetimes.co.uk/rss/chichester-harbour-entrance-tide-times

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